Long overdue. Daley must be really desperate and the city budget in a massive hole in order to cede his most precious treasure trove. The likely next step is Daley claiming he's averted hundreds of layoffs and reductions in city services thanks to his hard work, sacrifice, and resourcefulness. One doesn't need a copy of the playbook to know Hizzoner is beginning to toss Hail Marys.

The irony is, of course, that ridiculous ploys like the Central Loop district TIF are the reason we're in the red $400 million dollars (and likely much more).

In light of the escalating price tag of the Michael Reese site and continuing mass transit woes, expect more of Daley's charades masked as a mayor looking our for his constituents. The common theme here, as usual, is the Olympics. Angry, unemployed union workers and angry El train and bus riders aren't good for business - when your business is brown nosing the IOC.

Maybe Ben was wrong all along - the Olympic pipe dream is resulting in good government (insert sarcastic chuckle here).